The chaps from the Wave Garden have been causing quite a stir for a couple of years now since thay showed off there fun venture. There is talk of the Basque boys bringing a Wave Garden to the UK sometime in the near future and rumour has it that it will be somewhere near Brsitol.
Will have to wait and see when it does arrive – but here are a few images and video clip to check out now.
It looks like Kelly Slater could be on target for an 11th world surfing title after triumphing at feared Teahupoo in Tahiti.
The American great went into the Billabong Pro ranked No.6 but came out the new No.1 after triumphing over Australian young gun Owen Wright in the final on Monday (Tuesday AEST).
Kelly Slater wins the Billabong Pro Tahiti
He capitalised as Joel Parkinson, Jordy Smith, Adriano De Souza, Mick Fanning and Taj Burrow all failed to reach the quarter-final stage.
Slater won the Billabong Pro Tahiti in clean double overhead waves that produced one of the greatest surf contests in competitive surfing history.
If you were watching the live streaming you will have seen how masive the waves were – and at one point on Saturday the contest was called off because the swell was too big, a reason for not running a contest unheard of in the ASP World Tour.
An impromptu tow-in surf event was called that caused a bit of a stir on Billabong’s Facebook page as the media team struggled to set up the live streaming – but amidst massive waves the Billabong team pulled it out of the bag to record some of the most amazing surfing at Teahupo’o ever.
Bruce Irons Expression Session
In a moving tribute to his brother, Bruce Irons surfed a 30 minute expression session in between the semis and the final.
Bruce Irons Expression Session in memory of Andy Irons
Kelly Wins
Kelly Slater wins in Tahiti
Kelly defeated Josh Kerr in the semifinals before taking down Australian goofy footer Owen Wright 18.43 to 17.10 in a thrilling final that left Wright disappointed and Slater yet again a winner at an ASP World Tour Event, covering over two decades of sheer dominance.
“I felt like I finally hit my stride in the Semifinals this morning,” said Slater. “In the Final, I fell on a couple of waves that were maybe better than what I ended up getting scored on. It put the pressure on me, and took the pressure off him (Wright). He got that really big one at the end that could have gotten pretty close to the score. These are the best conditions this event has ever run in. It’s been a phenomenal week.”
Slater takes over the mantle previously held by the late Andy Irons, who won the event last year.
“You know Andy won last year, and I had my last heat here with him, ” said a choked up Slater. “There’s a lot of things that are really meaningful in it for me. Kind of a bookend for me and Andy. To win these events back-to-back is really nice.”
The win catapulted Slater to the top of the ASP World Tour Rankings, as the previous top five were all eliminated in the first three rounds of the contest. The defending 10-Time World Champion is now in the driver’s seat for an unprecedented 11th World Title.
Jeremy Flores Biggest Wave at Billabong Pro Tahiti
Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, put in some of the most inspiring performances of the event, bagging the biggest waves and even surfing a Perfect 20 heat in yesterday’s idyllic conditions. For his heroics, Flores was awarded the Andy Irons Award for most committed performance of the event. This is the inaugural year for the award, honoring the late ASP and Billabong Pro Tahiti Champion Andy Irons.
“Andy (Irons) meant everything to me,” Flores said. “He has been the guy I’ve looked up to my whole life. In heavy waves, in all waves, he was the best and to earn this award is so special for me. He inspired everyone on tour and he’s been my inspiration in Tahiti. I know he was smiling on this event. Thank you Andy.”
Kelly Rides a Quad Set up
And what of Kelly’s board set up than won him the final….
Looking confident from his opening heat Kelly was convinced riding a quad was the right decision at the infamous Tahitian reef pass.
“I rode my K2.1 Quad set-up for the entire event, it felt really fast and comfortable in the tube. The quad set-up seems to provide a little more security especially in the barrel, it also gives you more control when you’re riding a shorter board”.
Kelly Slater Quiver Decks for the Billabong Pro Tahiti
FMG surfer Benjamin Sanchis from Hossegor, France, has won the BIGGEST WAVE category at the Billabong XXL Awards, which took place at the famous Grove Theatre in Los Angeles on April 29th. Benjamin rode the wave at the spot of Belharra in the French Basque Country on February 16th 2011.
Check out Benjamin’s wave with the other Billabong XXL nominees:-
To see more from this session check out this little clip:
Says Benjamin: “This is so amazing and I think I need to sleep over it and let it all sink in! I have worked so much over the last few years, chasing swells, trying to surf big waves. I work really hard to stay fit, to be on the ball. Now I rode the biggest wave over the last year. That’s pretty crazy. This is what I love to do, this is what I strive for, so to succeed and get recognized for all your hard word and endeavors is a huge bonus. I will try to push the envelope even further in the future that’s for sure. I’m so happy right now and want to thank my girlfriend Luna, all my friends and family at home, my sponsors and my management FMG!”
Sorted Surf took over Boscombe Beach at the weekend with the second annual Sorted Surf Festival.
We’re absolutely delighted with how it went. The festival went down an absolute storm, with everyone having a great time down on the beach and out in the water.
We may not have had the wind we were hoping for, but otherwise it was perfect weather, and we spent the weekend basking in the gorgeous sunshine.
Thousands of people turned out on the Saturday and Sunday to take part in the festivities, so we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who came down to support us – you made the event the great success it was. It’s events like this that show just how far Boscombe seafront has come in terms of the regeneration of the area over recent years. Great job everyone!
While we weren’t able to go ahead with the competition as planned, we made the most of the gentle surf with lots of stand-up paddle boarding events, races and relays.
The seafront was packed with hundreds of yards of stalls, flags and tents, proving that when it comes to staging big surfing events, Bournemouth can rival anything the rest of the UK has to offer.
All the exhibitors near Urban Reef and Sorted Surf Shop told us they were buzzing with trade all weekend, and they were able to give plenty of people the opportunity to try out different sports for the first time, which is really what the festival is all about.
As well as the great local support, we had folks attending from all across the South of England, who made the trip over to Bournemouth to take part and soak up the festival vibe. Thanks guys, we hope you’ll be heading back again for Sorted Surf Festival 2012!
Billabong’s Spring Collection has been causing quite a stir in the office – but then we got wind of the new Rip Curl Bikini Zine and now we just can’t decide which collection takes the top slot.
The new Rip Curl Zine shows off Alana Blanchard’s signature bikini-clad derriere very nicely!
But you will have to make your own mind up which collection comes out on top.
Click the link to view the full Rip Curl Bikini Zine and download the screensavers below (click the image, right mouse click to save to your desktop).
It’s one of those things that you think will go one forever – but looks like the sponsor world is having a shake-up.
After 10 years with Rip Curl, Steph Gilmore announced her move to Quiksilver in a deal rumoured to be worth at least $5 million over five years.
Steph Gilmore - a winning smile for Quiksilver
While industry sources believe Gilmore’s sponsorship is more than all but three men in world surfing, four-time world champion Gilmore said wanting to “keep things fresh” was the main reason behind her move.
Steph’s move comes only a fortnight after her wrist was broken in a bashing outside her Gold Coast home, Gilmore revealed the five-year deal with Quiksilver, which includes joining 13 female artists, musicians, photographers, writers, philanthropists and fashion designers as a brand ambassador.
Gilmore, who declined to confirm the financial details of the new deal, said that moving to Quiksilver was “not a monetary thing”.
Steph Gilmore looking pleased with herself
The deal is believed to be worth more than $1 million a year for the 22-year-old, with speculation rife there are also big money incentives for winning major events, including the ASP world title.
Gilmore’s career earnings, according to the ASP website, are $419,050. The surfer last year earned $94,200 as she secured her fourth successive world crown.
In Australia only the likes of dual world surfing champion Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow, Ace Buchan and rising starts Owen Wright and Julian Wilson are believed to be on bigger contracts than Gilmore, a star of the women’s surfing tour and an articulate spokewoman off it.
“I had an absolutely fantastic 10-year relationship with Rip Curl and I can only speak highly of them,” said Steph.
“This is just a personal thing where I kind of wanted to sort of rejuvenate my career halfway through and it was a personal choice. I really wanted something to get me excited.
“Globally they are such a giant brand with so much opportunity in the industry with music, fashion, surfing, skating . . . the whole lot.
“Everything I’m learning about the company is it’s more about the lifestyle, music, art, philanthropy and being creative, being independent, being young and successful and having fun.”
Gilmore, who many believe can go on to match if not exceed the seven world titles won by the great Layne Beachley, is the only surfer among Quiksilver’s female brand ambassadors.
“One of the most important things for any athlete is to stay fresh, inspired, to go out and keep competing and winning and keeping that balance in your life,” said Gilmore, who will creatively contribute to Quiksilver’s new collection.
The announcement of Gilmore’s switch came hours after rising star Wilson revealed he was moving from Quiksilver to Nike. Wilson’s deal is a five-year agreement believed to be worth about $1 million a year.
It’s the New Year and if there was any more reason to get out into the water then here it is….
Santa Cruz surfer and trickster Zoltan Torkos claims to have pulled the first two kickflips ever pulled on a surfboard.
While there is no doubt that the man-with-the-magicians-name did indeed do a kickflip, the questions is: Did he ride it out well enough to claim it?
Either way, it’s as close as we’ve see so Zoltan definitely deserves some props!
You decide……
Ricardo Wendhausen made a claim in 2009 and here’s his attempt
So looks like 2011 could see even more skate moves coming across into the surfing world – keep your eyes peeled on your local beach for some radical moves!
It has been a bit of a crazy week in the world of surfing.
First off, the ASP World Tour hit Puerto Rico and Steph Gilmore was crowned both World Champ and Rip Curl Search Champ Today – what an achievement.
Andy Irons
But then within the space of 24 hours the surfing world was turned upside down with the unexpected death of 3 x World Champion Andy Irons.
The Legend that is Andy Irons
We are still finding it hard to belive that such a talented surfer can pass away so young. There are lots of tributes out there on the web and we would like to add our own condolences to his family and friends in this painful time – and let you guys know our thoughts are with you. Rest in peace, AI, and thank you.
The massive memorial paddle-out in Puerto Rico was a fitting way to give Andy the best send-off from all of his ASP Surfing Tour buddies.
Andy Irons Memorial Paddle Out
Billabong have released a tribute clip for Andy Irons. There’s not much to say about this… The clip is amazing but it’s definitely sad to watch.
